Airport awarded $632k in grants

The money, from the U.S. Department of Transportation, will be used to expand the airport’s aircraft rescue and firefighting building and its snow removal equipment building.

“Ensuring that pilots, passengers and staff can use this facility safely has to be one of our highest priorities,” U.S. Rep. Bill Owens said in a press release announcing the grants. “This funding will ensure that essential safety measures can be taken in the event of an emergency at the airfield.”

Airport Manager Corey Hurwitch said the upgrades are especially important for managing the facility in cold winter months.

“With the temperatures we get up here, especially this winter, many mornings we have to spend a lot of time just getting our equipment started,” he said in the release. “Moving the safety and snow removal equipment inside keeps it lasting longer and makes it easier to maintain.”

Hurwitch added that maintaining and upgrading the airport facilities can have a ripple effect through the region’s economy.